(Yicai Global) July 31 -- The retail sales of China's home appliance market totaled CNY412.5 billion (USD59.9 billion) in the first half.

This figure was 2.1 percent down from last year's tally, according to a report the China Household Electric Appliance Research Institute and the National Household Appliance Industry Information Center jointly compiled.

This is the first decline in the home appliance market since 2012, the CHEARI announced.

The cumulative retail sales of the offline market fell 5.3 percent, while online sales gained 4.2 percent in the period. The cumulative export value of home appliances was CNY163.6 billion in the first half, up 5.5 percent on a year earlier.

The home appliance industry is in a mature stage after over 30 years' development, but with sales of color TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, gas stoves and other traditional home appliances all soft, per the report's analysis. For example, the average price of a color TV fell 8.6 percent to CNY2,803 (USD407) and color sets' retail sales tumbled 11 percent in the first half, while ultra-high definition 8K and laser TVs soared almost and two and a half times and one and a half times, respectively, over the previous year.

Emerging kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and steamers, as well as personal care and household appliances like electric toothbrushes, face washers and sweeping robots have become the main drivers of growth. For example, cooking appliances, rice cookers, vacuum cleaners and other small household appliances have all racked up a 4.5 percent rise.

The retail sales drop in the domestic home appliance market is expected to slow to 1.3 percent.

Editor: Ben Armour